1.Effect of Shixiaosan on Neurological Function and Ferroptosis in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway
Ying WEI ; Lixia WANG ; Junjun YIN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):22-31
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Shixiaosan can improve neurological function and inhibit ferroptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) by regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MethodsA rat model of CIRI was established using the intraluminal filament method. Briefly, cervical blood vessels were separated, branches of the external carotid artery were ligated, and the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery were clamped. A nylon filament was inserted through the opening of the external carotid artery to the origin of the middle cerebral artery to block blood flow and induce cerebral ischemia. After 60-120 min of ischemia, the filament was withdrawn to restore blood flow, and the external carotid artery incision was ligated. The rats were divided into a CIRI group, a Shixiaosan low-dose (-L) group (intragastric administration of 1.26 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a Shixiaosan high-dose (-H) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan), a donepezil hydrochloride tablet (DON) group (intragastric administration of 0.45 mg·kg-1 DON), and a Shixiaosan -H + Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) group (intragastric administration of 2.52 g·kg-1 Shixiaosan combined with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg-1 ML385). An additional 12 rats underwent cervical artery separation followed by incision suturing and served as the control group. Equal volumes of double-distilled water were administered to the CIRI and control groups. Neurological function impairment was assessed using the modified Garcia JH score. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the cerebral infarct volume ratio. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Prussian blue staining were performed to observe neuronal injury and iron accumulation in the ischemic penumbra, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of neuronal mitochondria in the ischemic penumbra. Commercial kits were used to measure ferrous iron (Fe2+), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity in the ischemic penumbra. The BODIPY (581/591) C11 fluorescent probe was used to detect intracellular lipid peroxidation levels. Western blot was performed to detect protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor 1 (TFRC), ferritin heavy chain (FHC), and ferritin light chain (FLC) in the ischemic penumbra. ResultsCompared with the control group, the CIRI group exhibited neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, characterized by reduced neuron numbers, nucleolar shrinkage, and interstitial edema. Marked iron accumulation was observed in the tissue. Neuronal mitochondria showed atrophy and rupture, with reduced mitochondrial cristae and increased membrane density. The cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ content, MDA content, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels were increased, whereas the modified Garcia JH score, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC were decreased, and TFRC protein expression was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the CIRI group, the Shixiaosan -L group, Shixiaosan -H group, and DON group showed attenuated neuronal injury in the ischemic penumbra, reduced iron accumulation, alleviated mitochondrial damage, decreased cerebral infarct volume ratio, Fe2+ and MDA contents, ROS activity, and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as increased modified Garcia JH scores, GSH content, and protein expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, GPX4, FHC, and FLC, while TFRC protein expression was decreased (P<0.05). The magnitude of changes in all indicators was greater in the Shixiaosan -H group than in the Shixiaosan -L group (P<0.05). Compared with the Shixiaosan -H group, all measured indicators in the Shixiaosan -H + ML385 group showed opposite trends (P<0.05). ConclusionShixiaosan may inhibit ferroptosis and restore neurological function in rats with CIRI by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
2.Influenza A virus infection activates TLR3-mediated necroptosis
Weijie LI ; Congying HUANG ; Ziling ZENG ; Xiang LI ; Jia XU ; Tian GONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinyan ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Yuanjia HU ; Haiyu XU ; Lijuan SONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):40-49
Background: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a negative-sense RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and is the etiological agent of a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that can lead to acute lung injury. Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IAV infection, an integrative research approach combining gene expression profiling, multinetwork analysis, and in vivo experimental validations was employed. Methods: First, a series of network-based analyses were performed, including protein-protein interaction network construction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, to identify the major underlying mechanisms of IAV infection. Following gene expression analysis, core targets, both direct and indirect regulators, were screened. An IAV (H1N1) strain A/PR/8/34-induced acute lung injury mouse model was constructed for in vivo validations. Batch one included two groups to evaluate findings from the multi-network analysis: Mock (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females) and IAV (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females). Batch two included three groups to assess the role of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in IAV infection: Mock (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), IAV (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), and TLR3 inhibitor (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females). Body weight was measured on days 0, 3, and 5 after infection. On day 5, lung tissues were collected to assess viral load and histopathological changes. Key targets were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining, both in sera and lung tissues. Results: IAV infection was significantly associated with dysregulation of the immune-inflammation system, such as the LTR, nucle-otide-binding oligomerization domain-(NOD) like receptor, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor, and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further indicated that the TLR and necroptosis signaling pathways played crucial roles in the progression of IAV infection (TLR signaling pathway normalized enrichment score = 2.3941, P = 1.00 × 10 −10; necroptosis normalized enrichment score = 1.9421, P = 6.21 × 10 −7). Among the core targets, TLR3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) may regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level (all P < 0.05). In vivo validation using an IAV (PR8) infected acute lung injury mouse model demonstrated increased viral load and lung index, alveolar structural damage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited large gaps in Lamin B1 staining and breaches in Emerin signals following IAV-PR8 infection. Expression levels of TLR3, p-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/RIPK3, and p-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)/MLKL proteins in lung tissues, as well as proinflammatory factors and mediators in sera, were significantly elevated after IAV infection. Moreover, enhanced neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase) and citrullinated histone H3 (a neutrophil extracellular trap-specific marker), both established indicators of neutrophil extracellular trap formation, were observed. Notably, treatment with a TLR3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated IAV-induced acute lung injury by regulating necroptosis-related targets. Conclusion: Our study provides network-based in vivo evidence that TLR3-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis may underlie IAV-induced acute lung injury and could serve as a potential therapeutic target in severe influenza cases.
3.Epidemiological characteristics and prediction analysis of hand, foot and mouth disease in Shanxi Province in 2012 - 2024
Wenjun WANG ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lijuan LIU ; Yaqiong SONG ; Qing TAN ; Yanzhen NIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):14-18
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanxi Province from 2012 to 2024, and predict the incidence trend for 2025, and to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of prevention and control strategies. Methods Based on the surveillance data of HFMD in Shanxi Province from 2012 to 2024, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and time trends of the disease were analyzed. The ARIMA model was constructed and used to predict the incidence trend in 2025. Results From 2012 to 2024, a total of 254 028 HFMD cases were reported in Shanxi Province, with an average annual incidence rate of 54.17 per 100 000 population, a severe case rate of 0.56%, and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 12.60 per 100 000 population. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the incidence rate, severe case rate, mortality rate, and case fatality rate all presented a downward trend. The epidemic exhibited obvious seasonal distribution characteristics, with the peak period from April to November, and two incidence peaks in June-July and October-November. The male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.41:1. Children aged 1-5 years accounted for 89.24% of the total cases, among which scattered children (58.48%) and nursery children (33.54%) were the high-risk groups. Linfen City (96.06 /100 000) and Taiyuan City (88.54 /100 000) had relatively high incidence rates. After 2017, the proportion of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) decreased, while coxsackievirus A16 (Cox-A16) and other enteroviruses became the main epidemic strains. The ARIMA(1,0,1)(0,1,1)₁₂ model predicted that the incidence of HFMD in 2025 would remain at the level of 2023-2024, and the dual-peak characteristic would continue. Conclusion From 2012 to 2024, the overall HFMD epidemic in Shanxi Province generally shows a significant downward trend. The high-risk population includes scattered children and nursery children under 5 years old, with high-incidence areas concentrated in the central and southern regions, requiring focused attention. The seasonal ARIMA model can effectively fit the evolutionary trend of HFMD incidence in Shanxi Province and possesses short-term predictive capability.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates AMPK Signaling Pathway to Prevent and Treat Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review
Lijuan DAN ; Shuanglan CHEN ; Tianyuan WANG ; Xiaojie YOU ; Xiuyan LI ; Hongfei SONG ; Dong WANG ; Jie MU ; Qiao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):133-143
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent forms of liver diseases globally. Its progression can lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, and there is currently a lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as a regulatory hub for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, can coordinate key cellular processes such as adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial functions. Its activation exerts metabolic regulatory effects through pathways including inhibiting lipogenesis, enhancing mitochondrial β-oxidation, regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, and promoting autophagy. Accordingly, AMPK emerges as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with low toxicity, high accessibility, and multi-component, multi-target synergistic effects, has demonstrated unique value in NAFLD treatment, particularly showing notable advantages in regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. Sichuan is known as the treasure house of TCM, and the active components of its authentic medicinal materials such as Coptidis Rhizoma not only reflect regional characteristics in AMPK signaling regulation but also form a multi-level metabolic regulatory network through crosstalk with pathways such as sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). They can achieve specific regulation by directly activating AMPK and modulating upstream and downstream targets, exerting prominent effects in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This study systematically reviews the research findings on TCM for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD over the past five years, elaborating the mechanisms by which TCM treats NAFLD through regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. It aims to provide new perspectives and references for clinical diagnosis and treatment, basic research, and drug development.
5.Mechanism of action of mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex in treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Xinyu ZHANG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiaojie YOU ; Jie MU ; Hongfei SONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1952-1959
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver condition closely associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism, with the central pathological event of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex is a key molecular apparatus regulating mitochondrial calcium (mtCa2+) homeostasis, and mtCa2+ overload due to its dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of MAFLD. This article systematically elaborates on the pathogenesis of MAFLD, with a particular focus on how the central signaling axis of “MCU complex dysfunction-mtCa2+ overload” drives the disease progression of MAFLD by disrupting energy metabolism, activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, triggering the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome, and inducing cell death. It also points out that traditional Chinese medicine can exert an interventional effect on multiple downstream pathways through various targets and has shown unique advantages and a significant potential in alleviating MAFLD by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and targeting the MCU complex, and therefore, it is expected to provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
6.Astrocytes regulate remyelination in central nervous system
Jing SHUI ; Yu HE ; Nan JIANG ; Kun XU ; Lijuan SONG ; Zhibin DING ; Cungen MA ; Xinyi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7889-7897
BACKGROUND:Remyelination in the central nervous system is a basic repair process triggered by demyelinating events,mainly through the proliferation,migration,and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells into oligodendrocytes.The process of remyelination is affected by many factors such as astrocytes,myelin debris,microglia,macrophages,endothelial cells,pericytes,T cells,and age.OBJECTIVE:Astrocytes play an important role in regulating synaptic activity,nutritional support,and tissue repair in the central nervous system.This review aims to provide potential therapeutic targets for demyelinating diseases of central nervous system by reviewing the role of astrocytes in remyelination.METHODS:A search was conducted on relevant literature collected from CNKI,PubMed,and Web of Science from 2014 tO 2024.The search terms were"astrocytes,oligodendrocyte precursor cells,remyelination"in both Chinese and English.Finally,66 articles were included after screening and summarized.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The treatment of demyelinating diseases,such as multiple sclerosis,is limited to disease-modifying therapies,and there is no available method to overcome the failure of remyelination.Therefore,it is necessary to explore targets related to remyelination to promote myelin repair.(2)Remyelination is a process in which oligodendrocyte precursor cells proliferate,migrate,differentiate,and mature into oligodendrocytes,and the latter produce myelin to wrap axons to form myelin sheath.(3)Astrocytes regulate remyelination by phagocytosis of myelin debris,participating in inflammatory response,transforming into oligodendrocyte lineage cells,providing energy supply for oligodendrocyte lineage cells,releasing neurotrophic factors,and secreting extracellular matrix components.(4)The drugs screened in this paper use astrocytes and their derived factors as intervention targets to regulate the remyelination.Some drugs have satisfactory effects,but their effectiveness and safety still need more basic research and clinical trials to verify.(5)The mechanism of action of astrocytes in remyelination has not been fully elucidated,and the related molecular targets and signaling pathways can be further studied.
7.Research Advances in the Use of Online Peer Support in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer
Ping JU ; Yuanyuan LI ; Xueting WANG ; Jia SONG ; Luhao LIU ; Lijuan YANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(5):396-401
Peer support can improve negative emotions, cognitive level, self-coping, and quality of life in adolescents and young adults with cancer. The rise of digital health technology has facilitated the rapid development of online medical interventions, providing an opportunity for the development of online peer support. This study reviewed the intervention modalities, application forms, application effects and should prospects of online peer support applied in adolescent and young adult cancer patients, to provide a reference for improving healthcare professionals to conduct high-quality online peer support interventions.
8.Efficacy of nasolacrimal duct stent placement combined with endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis and recurrence rate analysis
Lijuan LI ; Peng CHEN ; Songyu ZHAI ; Shanghua SONG
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(7):1044-1049
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of nasolacrimal duct stent placement combined with endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EES-DCR) in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis and analyze the recurrence rate of this condition.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 312 patients with chronic dacryocystitis admitted to Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital) from April 2021 to April 2023. All patients were divided into the non-implantation group (EES-DCR only) and the implantation group (nasolacrimal duct stent placement combined with EES-DCR) based on the surgical procedure used. Baseline data were excluded using propensity score matching method, and 156 patients were included in each group. Clinical efficacy, incidence rates of complications, and epiphora status (epiphora degree, tear film breakup time, Schirmer test strip wetting length) before surgery and at 1 month after surgery, as well as recurrence rate within 1 year of treatment were compared between the two groups.Results:The total efficacy in the implantation group was significantly higher than that in the non-implantation group [98.08% (153/156) vs. 93.59% (146/156), χ2 = 3.93, P = 0.047). The overall incidence rate in the implantation group was significantly lower than that in the non-implantation group [5.13% (8/156) vs. 12.18% (19/156), χ2 = 4.90, P = 0.027). At 1 month after surgery, both the degree of epiphora and the wetting length of Schirmer test strip significantly decreased in both groups, while the tear film breakup time significantly increased (both P < 0.05) compared with before surgery. The degree of epiphora and the wetting length of Schirmer test strip in the implantation group were (1.25 ± 0.26) points and (12.37 ± 2.24) mm, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the non-implantation group [(1.44 ± 0.29) points, (13.32 ± 2.60) mm, t = 4.81, P < 0.001; t = 3.45, P < 0.001]. The tear film breakup time in the implantation group was (12.43 ± 2.31) seconds, which was significantly longer than that in the non-implantation group [(11.38 ± 2.15) seconds, t = 4.15, P < 0.001]. The total recurrence rate in the implantation group was 5.13% (8/156), which was significantly lower than that in the non-implantation group [11.54% (18/156), χ2 = 4.19, P = 0.041]. Conclusions:Nasolacrimal duct stent placement combined with EES-DCR effectively treats chronic dacryocystitis, reduces the degree of epiphora, and lowers the recurrence rate of the disease. This combined therapy has few complications and is safe and effective.
9.The value of phase angle in predicting malnutrition in pancreatic cancer patients
Yifu HU ; Lijuan WANG ; Pengxue LI ; Bo CHENG ; Lei LI ; Lili DING ; Junmin WEI ; Jinghai SONG ; Jingyong XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(1):25-30
Objective:To elucidate the correlation between phase angle and malnutrition and to determine the cut-off value for phase angle to predict malnutrition in pancreatic cancer patients.Methods:This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled patients with pancreatic cancer hospitalized in the Department of Hepato-pancreato biliary Surgery at Beijing Hospital between December 2021 and March 2024. Baseline data, diet survey results, and body composition of these patients were recorded. Phase angle was measured with the InBody 720(Biospace, Korea). The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were used to diagnose malnutrition.Results:A total of 110 cases (75 males and 35 females) aged 29-87(63.00±12.37) years were included. The prevalence of malnutrition was 63.6% (70/111) among the patients. Patients were divided into malnutrition ( n=77) and non-malnutrition ( n=33) groups as per the GLIM criteria. Phase angle was significantly lower in the malnutrition group than in the non-malnutrition group ( t=-3.808, P<0.001). Positive correlations were found between phase angle and body mass index, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, fat-free mass index , fat-free mass, total energy intake, total protein, albumin, and prealbumin (all P<0.05).After adjusting for sex and age, low phase Angle remained an independent risk factor for malnutrition ( OR=3.809, 95% CI: 1.150-12.612, P=0.029). The cut-off values of phase angle for predicting malnutrition were 4.43 for males (with a sensitivity of 0.955, specificity of 0.585, area under the curve of 0.636; 95% CI: 0.508-0.763, P=0.037) and 4.54 for females (with a sensitivity of 1.000, specificity of 0.708, area under the curve of 0.799; 95% CI: 0.653-0.946, P<0.001). Conclusion:Phase angle may serve as a valid and simple indicator of malnutrition in pancreatic cancer patients.
10.Study on protection of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by HSYA activated neuronal autophagy based on SIRT1
Lijuan SONG ; Ruheng WEI ; Yaoyao DAI ; Jianlin HUA ; Mengwei RONG ; Cunyan DAN ; Chunli WEN ; Tianqing XIA ; Ce ZHANG ; Baoguo XIAO ; Cungen MA
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1350-1357
Objective:To investigate effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)activating neuronal autophagy on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods:SD rat MCAO/R model was established by improved suture method.Rats were randomly divided into sham surgery(Sham)group,MCAO/R group and MCAO/R+HSYA group,following indicators were detected to determine extent of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve damage:Z-Longa neu-rological function score was detected,TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction area,and TUNEL staining to measure cell apopto-sis;Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of autophagy related markers LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1 in rat brain tis-sue;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression of LC3 co-localization with neurons.OGD/R injury model of SH-SY5Y cells was established and randomly divided into Normal group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+HSYA group,OGD/R+SIRT1 inhibitor(EX-527)group and OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1.Results:Compared with Sham group,model group rats showed impaired neurological function,significantly increased neu-robehavioral scores,widespread cerebral infarction,significantly increased neuronal cell apoptosis,significantly increased autophagy related protein Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,significantly decreased P62 expression,significantly increased LC3/NeuN co-stained cells,and decreased SIRT1 expression;compared with model group,HSYA intervention group showed a significant decrease in neurological functional scores,a significant reduction in cerebral infarction area,a significant decrease in neuronal cell apoptosis,a further increase in Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,a further decrease in P62 expression,number of LC3/NeuN and P62/NeuN co-stained cells also increased,and SIRT1 expression significantly increased.Expression trends of Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,P62 and SIRT1 of cells between normal group,model group and HSYA intervention group were same as animal experiment;compared with model group,expressions of SIRT1,Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in OGD/R+EX-527 group were significantly reduced,while expression of P62 was significantly increased;compared with OGD/R+EX-527 group,there was no significant change in SIRT1 expression in OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1 expression were significantly increased,and P62 expres-sion was significantly decreased.Conclusion:HSYA can significantly improve neurological deficits in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,reduce cerebral infarction area,and decrease neuronal cell apoptosis rate,whose neuroprotective effect may be related to its activation of SIRT1,which significantly enhances neuronal autophagy.


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